Santa Fe County, in partnership with the City of Santa Fe and PNM, invites community members to attend the Wildfire Awareness Town Hall on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion (1607 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501).

The event will open with information booths from participating agencies, followed by a moderated discussion beginning at 5:30 p.m. Topics will include wildfire prevention, evacuation readiness, utility safety protocols, and coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.

The discussion will be facilitated by Rosemary Romero, a professional mediator specializing in water, environmental, and forest issues in New Mexico. Romero will guide a panel of wildfire and emergency management experts who will provide valuable information, answer questions, and share proactive measures to strengthen wildfire preparedness and safety in the Santa Fe region.

Panelists include:

• Wes Gray – Vice President, PNM Operations & Engineering

• Scott Overpeck – Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service

• Jacob Black – Santa Fe County Fire Chief

• Porfirio Chavarria – City of Santa Fe Wildland Urban Interface Specialist

• Brad Call – Santa Fe County Emergency Management Director

• Kyle Morgan – City of Santa Fe Interim Emergency Management Director

Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect directly with experts and learn about resources available to help protect homes, families, and communities.

“This town hall is more than sharing wildfire preparedness strategies; it’s an opportunity to strengthen our community through interagency planning and continued investment in a safer, more resilient region. Every step we take together towards wildfire prevention is an act of service in protecting our homes and landscapes for future generations,” said Jacob Black, Santa Fe County Fire Chief.

For more information, visit pnm.com/wildfire-safety.